Survey of University of Iowa undergrads reveals troubling rape statistic

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Survey of University of Iowa undergrads reveals troubling rape statistic

IOWA CITY, Iowa (AP) — A survey of University of Iowa undergraduates shows 21 percent of female students who responded reported they were raped, a figure an official calls “horrible” even as the school notes a relatively small percentage of students took the survey.

The Iowa City Press-Citizen reports that among the 9.3 percent of students who took the survey, 21 percent of undergraduate female students said they had been raped and 20.5 percent reported attempted rape. More than 11 percent of first-year women undergraduates say they were raped during the first semester.

At a news conference, Tom Rocklin, the vice president for student life, said, “The number is horrible.”

UI officials note the sample size was relatively small and some researchers think those assaulted may be more likely to participate in such surveys.